HONG KONG: Manager Xabi Alonso hailed Mykhailo Mudryk’s “emotional” return from a doping ban as the winger played for Chelsea for the first time in nearly two years in a 1-0 friendly defeat to Juventus in Hong Kong on Wednesday.

The Ukrainian international came on as a substitute for Nicolas Jackson in the 82nd minute, drawing applause from his team-mates and loud cheers from Chelsea fans in the 43,575 crowd at Kai Tak Stadium.

Mudryk had not played since November 2024 because of a doping ban, but won permission to resume his football career on Friday after winning an appeal.

Despite a lively cameo on the left side, he was unable to stop Juventus taking the spoils courtesy of a wonderful second-half strike from Kosovo international Edon Zhegrova.

“Really pleased for him. It was emotional for everyone from the club to see him back,” Alonso told reporters. “He was thrilled, for sure. After such a long period, to be back on the pitch, it was a great feeling for him.”

“I think we started pretty well. The first 30, 35 minutes, we have played with good control, we have created a few chances,” Alonso said.

“And the second half, there were many changes. The game was not that controlled and stable with all the substitutions.

“Unluckily, we didn’t get to win, but for sure, it’s the process, it’s minutes for everyone.”

Chelsea left both Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill out of the matchday squad, with Alonso saying England playmaker Palmer had suffered some discomfort after getting a knock in Saturday’s match against Tottenham in Sydney.

The Spanish coach said it was not a recurrence of the groin injury that sidelined him for much of last season, adding that he should be available for the next friendly.

Chelsea play Italian giants AC Milan in Jakarta on Saturday, before rounding off pre-season with games against Malaysia’s Johor Darul Ta’zim and Spain’s Real Sociedad.

They face Fulham at Craven Cottage in their opening league game on August 24.

Juventus travel to Australia for friendlies against fellow Italians Inter Milan and Palermo before kicking off the Serie A season with a trip to Frosinone on Aug 23.

In Perth on Wednesday, Frenchman Christopher Nkunku converted a late penalty as AC Milan drew 1-1 with rivals Inter Milan in a lacklustre pre-season derby.

In front of 52,310 fans, Serie A champions Inter appeared to be claiming the bragging rights after Federico Dimarco’s strike from close range in the 52nd minute.

But Nkunku was brought down by Carlos Augusto in the 83rd minute before squaring the contest with a superbly taken penalty.

The result ensured that new Milan coach Ruben Amorim is still seeking a maiden victory after his reign began with a 2-2 draw in a friendly against Celtic in Glasgow last month.

They will be encouraged by veteran midfield maestro Luka Modric playing the last 30 minutes having recently signed a one-year extension.

“It was nice to get some minutes under the belt and I felt good,” Modric said.

“It’s good to have these kinds of games to prepare for the season. “I think we did a lot of good things and hopefully we can just improve.”

The match was the first for AC Milan since the death of Franco Baresi, who captained the club during a golden era in the 1980s and 1990s.

There was a minute’s silence before the match with players from both teams linking arms.

Published in Dawn, August 6th, 2026

Speaking at this week’s LIV Golf New York event at Trump National in Bedminster, New Jersey, O’Neil provided the first glimpse of what LIV might resume after the pullout of financial support by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.

“LIV Golf has an agreement in place with a lead investor, signed by the investor and approved by the board, to anchor the transaction and play a key role in supporting the path forward for the league’s next era, driven by and for the players,” O’Neil said in a statement.

“We’re also seeing strong interest from more than a dozen additional parties to potentially serve as minority investors, creating a multi-partner model built for long-term stability and growth.”

LIV began in 2022 and lured some of golf’s top names from the PGA Tour, which banned LIV golfers from its events.

Saudi officials withdrew their backing of the series, however, after promising to keep LIV afloat through the 2026 campaign, which is set to conclude later this month.

O’Neil has sought up to $300 million in backing from new sponsors to produce a season in 2027 and beyond.

“Notably, our next chapter will make the players the majority equity holders in LIV Golf, a first for a major global sports league, and gives the league the foundation to keep growing the game worldwide,” the statement said.

“We anticipate finalizing terms in the coming weeks with the goal of entering a transaction in September.

“In the meantime, our focus is on delivering a great week for fans and players at Bedminster and finishing the 2026 season strong.”

Published in Dawn, August 6th, 2026

Police Scotland said in a statement that it had “received reports of several athletes who are unaccounted for” and that it was conducting “enquiries” and engaging with the interior ministry.

Around 3,000 athletes from 74 nations competed in the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Scotland’s largest city, with the closing ceremony held on Sunday.

Only two members of the Ugandan boxing team of six have returned to Uganda, the president of the Ugandan Boxing Federation, Muhangi Moses, told AFP in Kampala after the first athletes arrived back on Tuesday evening.

Moses said those who had not returned were the team captain, Nuhu Batte, as well as one other male and two female team members.

The boxing team members who returned home included a grandson of former Ugandan dictator Idi Amin, Aziz Abdul, who was disqualified for a headbutt in his quarter-final.

Moses said it was “too early to say that the four boxers disappeared”, noting the athletes’ UK visas were still valid and team members were free to visit friends and family.

He said some team members were meant to return “later this week” and others at the weekend.

“It is too early to call it disappearance. Let us wait until their visas expire,” Moses said.

The chief executive of the Games, Phil Batty, on Monday told the UK’s Press Association news agency “we work really closely with Police Scotland, the Border Force and UK visas and immigration to make sure everyone arrives and departs in line with regulation”.

Published in Dawn, August 6th, 2026

The 34-year-old New Zealander, who held the WBO title from 2016 to 2018, had denied taking a prohibited substance but risked a two-year ban.

He failed the voluntary test on the day he fought and lost to Britain’s Fabio Wardley. British media reported at the time that he had tested positive for traces of cocaine.

“I’m pleased to confirm my provisional suspension is lifted and I’ll be back in the ring soon,” Parker said in a statement.

“I’ve been advised to say no more for now while details are finalised. Thank you to all my supporters.”

Robert Smith, general secretary of the British Boxing Board of Control, confirmed the suspension had been lifted but gave no details.

Published in Dawn, August 6th, 2026

“Salah mode: ON,” Trabzonspor posted on social media alongside photos of the 34-year-old Egyptian aboard a private jet wearing the team’s blue and maroon home shirt.

The club from Turkiye’s northeast announced on Tuesday that they had begun “negotiations” with Salah, who left Liverpool after nine seasons and as many trophies with the Reds.

He landed at around 0900 GMT in Istanbul, where he was greeted by hundreds of ecstatic supporters, AFP journalists reported.

“I’m here straight after my night shift, and now for Mohamed Salah, I am ready to spend another sleepless night,” Trabzonspor supporter Abdul Kerim Yervan told AFP.

The right winger, who is set to sign a two-season contract with an option for a third, will earn 17 million euros ($19.6 million) a year, according to several Turkish media outlets.

Salah netted 257 goals for Liverpool in 442 appearances in all competitions, making him the third top goalscorer in the club’s history.

He also scored 193 Premier League goals, 191 of them for the Reds, putting him fourth in the all-time list behind English trio Alan Shearer, Harry Kane and Wayne Rooney.

Salah was far from his best in a struggling Liverpool team last term, scoring only seven times in the league.

He last played at the World Cup, helping Egypt reach the last 16 for the first time since 1934 before they blew a two-goal lead to suffer an agonising loss to eventual runners-up Argentina.

Salah had also been linked with Trabzonspor’s Super Lig rivals Besiktas.

Trabzonspor finished third in the Turkish top flight last season, nine points clear of Besiktas, to qualify for the Europa League play-off round.

Salah has scored 66 goals in 119 international appearances for Egypt and is one of the most successful African players in history.

Published in Dawn, August 6th, 2026

It was a solid start for Sabalenka in her bid to bounce back after falling in the quarter-finals at Roland Garros and in the round of 16 at Wimbledon.

The Belarusian star has dominated on hard courts this year and on Tuesday notched her 24th win in 25 matches on the surface. The lone defeat was her loss to Elena Rybakina in the Australian Open final.

Now she’s eyeing a North American hard court run that could include a three-peat at the US Open, the final Grand Slam of the year that starts on Aug 30 in New York.

Sabalenka didn’t have it all her own way against the 111th-ranked Uchijima.

But she emerged from an exchange of five breaks of serve that opened the second set with a 3-2 lead and made the advantage stand up.

She held for 4-2, and when she had her first chance to serve it out she pounced, sealing the match on her second match point with an overhead winner.

Uchijima had surprised the Belarusian in the opening game of the match, clawing back from 40-15 down to break on the way to a quick 2-0 lead.

But Sabalenka won the next five games and polished off the opening set with a confident hold of serve.

In the third round she’ll face China’s Zhang Shuai, who was leading Jelena Ostapenko 6-0, 4-0 when the Latvian retired from their match.

Former world number one Iga Swiatek survived some nervy moments to launch her US Open build-up with a 6-0, 6-3 victory over Sara Bejlek.

Poland’s seventh-seeded Swiatek was rolling through the first nine games, appearing in total control with a double-break for a 3-0 lead in the second.

But her Czech opponent dug in and disrupted Swiatek’s rhythm, winning two straight games before Swiatek pulled off a great escape — fending off nine break points in a 22-minute sixth game to hold serve for a 4-2 lead.

She’ll continue her quest to change that when she takes on Switzerland’s Viktorija Golubic, a 5-7, 6-2, 6-3 winner over Croatian Donna Vekic.

Eighth-seeded American Amanda Anisimova reached the third round by walkover when scheduled opponent Lanlana Tararudee of Thailand withdrew because of illness.

Ninth-seeded Ukrainian Elina Svitolina rallied from a set and a break down to beat Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 6-7(5/7), 7-6(7/4), 6-4.

And 10th-seeded Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk, who reached the semi-finals at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, shook off a slow start to beat Canadian wild card Katherine Sebov 7-6(7/4), 6-0.

Kostyuk next faces former Australian Open champion Madison Keys.

DE MINAUR FIGHTS PAST DUCKWORTH

At the ATP Montreal Masters on Tuesday, Alex de Minaur blew through the opening set but needed some good luck in the second to emerge with a 6-2, 7-6(8/6) opening win over James Duckworth.

De Minaur, seeded third, hasn’t lost to a fellow Aussie in four years, but he was made to work hard by his 86th-ranked compatriot to keep that streak alive.

The second-round match turned in an instant in the second-set tiebreaker when a return which rolled off the top of the net handed de Minaur a match point after he saved six set points for his opponent.

In other second-round action China’s Shang Juncheng — only just returned from months away because of injury — scored the first notable upset of the week with 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(7/5) defeat of 10th seed Andrey Rublev.

Shang saved five match points, on his way to the third round, breaking Rublev as he served for the match at 5-3 in the third and hanging on to win a seven-deuce service game.

Former world number three Stefanos Tsitsipas regained some of the touch lost during a recent rankings slump, with the high-profile qualifier dispatching Martin Damm 6-4, 6-4 in a first-round match delayed by rain.

The 98-minute victory sends Tsitsipas into a match with Brazilian Joao Fonseca.

Hubert Hurkacz, a 2022 finalist in Montreal, beat Marcos Giron 7-5, 4-6, 6-2 while Germany’s Yannick Hanfmann downed sixth seed Flavio Cobolli of Italy 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (7/2).

Britain’s Jakob Fearnley, who reached the final of a hard court Challenger last month, advanced past French veteran Adrian Mannarino 7-6(7/3), 6-4, overcoming more than 30 unforced errors to book a meeting with 13th seeded Czech Jakub Mensik.

Fellow Brit Jack Draper shed bitter tears as his latest injury comeback collapsed in a 6-3, 2-6, 6-2 loss to France’s Terrance Atmane, who delivered an ace on match point.

Draper, who had not played a match since Eastbourne in June, was consoled at the net by his victorious opponent.

Canadian Denis Shapovalov, who reached the final in Los Cabos at the weekend, was disappointed to retire with an ankle injury to hand a 4-6, 6-4, 3-0 victory to Zachary Svajda.

Published in Dawn, August 6th, 2026

The Brazil midfielder’s future has been the subject of fevered speculation for weeks since it emerged he wanted to leave Tyneside for the Emirates Stadium.

Guimaraes, 28, who joined Newcastle from Olympique Lyonnais in 2022, scored nine goals and provided eight assists in all competitions for the Magpies last season.

After a break following Brazil’s World Cup campaign, he linked up with Newcastle on the club’s pre-season training camp in Spain.

Eddie Howe, who quit as Newcastle manager last week, had admitted he was concerned about losing Guimaraes.

Premier League champions Arsenal have been relatively quiet in the market compared with Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City and Chelsea as the new season approaches.

Manager Mikel Arteta has not spoken publicly about his interest in Guimaraes, but said the club were “very active” and “very ambitious in what we want to do”.

“We need to increase the competition internally. We need to make sure we identify the things that we don’t have in the team,” he said.

Arsenal open their title defence against Coventry at the Emirates on Aug 21.

Published in Dawn, August 6th, 2026

Infantino has been the subject of a torrent of criticism since he floated the idea of the new commercial rights body to FIFA’s 211 member associations last week.

The proposed sale of 20% of the body to private investment to raise $4.2 billion, and the involvement of a company with family links to US President Donald Trump, were only the most serious flaws in the plan for its many critics.

His backdown last Friday has done little to assuage those critics, most notably European football’s governing body UEFA, which accused him of selling the soul of the game and has said it no longer has confidence in his leadership.

That has cast a shadow over Infantino’s re-election for a fourth term at the FIFA Congress in Morocco in March, which looked a foregone conclusion two months ago.

A handful of European federations have withdrawn their backing for the Swiss Italian but perhaps more damaging are the messages coming from Infantino’s FIFA colleagues.

Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom sent an internal memo to staff lamenting the “sad and reproachable series of events” that led to the project being “permanently abandoned”, two sources told Reuters.

“Individuals, unstable moments and unfortunate episodes come and go. The institution, its mission and its responsibility towards world football continue ...” the Swede added in the letter, which made no mention of Infantino by name.

His words echoed those of FIFA’s Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour, who said last week that staff had been “deceived” over the plan which he described as the project of one person.

Infantino’s senior adviser Carlos Cordeiro resigned in protest at the plan last week and Arsene Wenger, FIFA’s chief of Global Football Development, said he had not been involved in drafting the proposal and that the decision to withdraw it was “absolutely necessary”.

Former Portugal great Luis Figo, who had planned to run for the FIFA presidency in 2015 before withdrawing, described Infantino’s behaviour as the “lowest, most deceitful and cravenly self-interested” he had ever seen.

“I could write 10,000 words on the problems at FIFA. But the solution needs only three: Infantino must go,” Figo wrote in a Daily Mail column.

UEFA Vice-President Laura McAllister said Infantino’s leadership had reached a crisis point.

“There’s a lot of unrest about the unilateral nature of the intervention around FFE last week. So I imagine this meeting is going to bring things to a head,” McAllister told Reuters.

SURVIVE SEVEN MONTHS UNTIL THE ELECTION

Infantino has spent the last week in Morocco, which will co-host the World Cup in 2030 and whose football association has announced its continued support for him.

Moroccan Football chief Fouzi Lekjaa is one of the few to have publicly supported Infantino since the humiliating climbdown.

Lekjaa last Saturday had praised his “wise” move to scrap the plan in the interests of “unity and cohesion”.

He reiterated his backing for Infantino for “all the initiatives aimed at the development of world football” during his 10 years in charge.

The first order of Wednesday’s meeting at FIFA’s Africa office in Sale, which sits across the Bou Regreg river from the Moroccan capital Rabat, is likely to focus on ensuring that Infantino at least survives the seven months until the election.

An Extraordinary Congress could be called if 43 or more FIFA member associations make a formal written request for one. Qatar, which hosted the 2022 World Cup, Kuwait, Lebanon, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and the Philippines have declared their loyalty to Infantino.

Infantino has always enjoyed a lot of support away from the traditional heartlands of the game, where impoverished football associations rely on FIFA’s largesse to operate.

“Although FIFA has withdrawn the FFE proposal, Philippine Football Federation (PFF) continues to support the goal behind it, championed by FIFA President Gianni Infantino: expanding commercial and financial assistance to all 211 Member Associations, especially smaller markets like the Philippines,” the PFF said.

But European Leagues, which represents over 1,300 clubs across Europe, said FIFA must not be allowed to “continue taking unilaterally disruptive decisions” that affect clubs, players and fans.

“Now more than ever, FIFA requires governance reform that ensures that all relevant stakeholders have a formal role in decisions that shape the future of our game,” it said, also criticising the “impractically short assessment timeline” of four weeks given by FIFA to study the plan to expand the World Cup from 48 to 64 teams for the 2030 edition.

AFRICAN ADMINISTRATORS BACK INFANTINO

Leading African football administrators have sent messages of support as Infantino looks to the continent’s 54 members for backing. The African confederation (CAF) has yet to take a stance.

The executive committee of the smallest and least wealthy regional confederation, Oceania, will meet next Wednesday to discuss their approach.

“I think it’s going to be really interesting for the international football community over the next few weeks,” New Zealand Football chief Andrew Pragnell told Reuters on Tuesday.

“It’s really important for a country like New Zealand to make a lot of contact with its confederation. It helps when you act in unison with your confederation.”

Under FIFA rules, the vote of San Marino, whose men’s team are ranked 211th and last in the world rankings, counts as much as that of World Cup winners like Brazil, Germany, Argentina and Spain.

One clear advantage for Infantino as he looks to extend his presidency until 2031 is that no clear candidate to stand against him in March’s election has yet emerged.

Jordan FA President Prince Ali bin Hussein has twice stood for the post and he made his position clear on Tuesday when he accused FIFA of “blackmail”, saying it had offered to help solve problems in exchange for endorsing Infantino.

“We did not endorse him before and certainly will not now,” Prince Ali wrote on social media.

Published in Dawn, August 6th, 2026

The 23-year-old Spaniard had been set to return at the ATP Masters 1000 event after being sidelined since withdrawing from the Barcelona Open in April.

Alcaraz was unable to defend his French Open title and also missed Wimbledon as he recovered from the injury.

“We know Carlos is doing everything he can to get back to playing tournaments as soon as possible,” tournament director Bob Moran said in a statement.

World number two Alcaraz won last year’s Cincinnati title after world number one Jannik Sinner retired from the final.

The Cincinnati Open will be held from Aug 13-23.

Published in Dawn, August 6th, 2026

Abu Bakr Mahmood has been retained as captain of the national team while the vice-captain will be announced by Friday, chief selector Samiullah Khan told Dawn from Islamabad where the squad was unveiled.

According to Samiullah, the squad had been chosen jointly by the national selectors and the recently-appointed foreign coaching staff.

He said head coach Herman Kruis was currently in the Netherlands on a pre-assignment and would join the Pakistan team when they reached there.

Expressing cautious optimism, Samiullah said that Pakistan’s recent performances against South Korea in the ongoing home series, in which they established an unassailable 3-0 lead in the four-match Test series, had boosted the team’s confidence.

“We have a realistic chance of holding India to a draw in the group stage. If that happens, defeating Wales is quite possible. However, beating England will be extremely difficult because they are among the world’s best teams, while Pakistan are currently placed 12th in the rankings,” Samiullah stated.

Squad: Abu Bakr Mahmood (captain), Mohammad Sufyan Khan, Moin Shakeel, Rana Abdul Waheed Ashraf, Abdul Hannan, Zikriya Hayat, Arshad Liaquat, Adeel Latif, Ahmad Nadeem, Ghazanfar Ali, Ammad Butt, Mohammad Hammaduddin, Abdul Rehman, Afraz, Umar Mustafa, Abdul Manan, Mohammad Ammad, Mohammad Abdullah.

Goalkeepers: Waqar, Ali Raza Team management: Mohammad Awais Qarni (team manager); Bob Johan Veldhof (head coach); Christopher Bowen, Adnan Zakir (assistant coaches); Ashraf Sultan (video technician).

Published in Dawn, August 6th, 2026

LAHORE: Pakistan auth­orities have launched a high-level effort to trace boxer Qudratullah, who failed to return home with the national contingent at the Commonwealth Gam­es in Glasgow, well-informed sources told Dawn on Wednesday.

The disappearance of the 20-year-old boxer, who competed in the men’s 60kg category, is being treated as a high-profile case, the sources said.

“Until around 2:00am in Glasgow, when the contingent was due to leave for Pakistan the following morning, every member of the contingent was present at one place,” a member of the Pakistan contingent told Dawn on condition of anonymity.

“Later in the night, as the Games organisers had provided separate accommodation for each athlete, everyone returned to their respective rooms. Qudratullah also went to his room,” the source added.

“The passports and air tickets of all contingent mem­bers, including Qudra­tullah, were in the custody of the head of the contingent. Despite taking all the preventive measures that the contingent management could, Qudratullah still managed to disappear. It is extremely unfortunate and has tarnished the country’s image,” the official said.

Government agencies are making serious efforts to trace the boxer, the source said, adding: “The authorities are trying to determine Qudratullah’s whereabouts. If he intends to apply for asylum, it may not be possible under the circumstances.”

Sources said that since British authorities issued six-month visas to all members of the Pakistani contingent, they may not treat the case as urgent until the visa validity nears its expiry.

Qudratullah, who is associated with the department of Pakistan Army, lost to Northern Ireland’s Jude Gallagher in the men’s 60kg category during the Games.

Pakistan returned from Glasgow with only one medal — a bronze won by boxer Fatima Zahra in the women’s 60kg category.

This is not the first such incident involving Paki­stani athletes. During the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, two Pakistani boxers failed to return home with the national contingent.

In 2024, boxer Zohaib Rasheed went missing in Italy while representing Pakistan at an Olympic qualifying event.

Despite repeated atte­mpts, no official of the Pakistan Boxing Fede­ration could be contacted for comment.

Published in Dawn, August 6th, 2026

Beaten by 90 runs in the first Test the previous week, the visitors were left with a target of only 75 runs after the home side — already in deep trouble overnight at 103 for six in the second innings — were dismissed for 117 half-an-hour into the start of the day’s play.

Abdullah Shafique and captain Babar Azam guided their team to victory after openers Imam-ul-Haq and Azan Awais fell cheaply to pacers Jayden Seales and Shamar Joseph with Babar hoisting consecutive sixes off spinner Jomel Warrican to seal the result.

It gave Pakistan a share of the series in the same manner as their last campaign in the Caribbean in 2021, when they rebounded similarly from losing the first Test to take the second, both matches played then at Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica.

Their last meeting in Pakistan, for two Tests in Multan in January of 2025, also finished 1-1.

This match was a personal triumph for Abdullah.

Not included in the original touring party and only flown in last week as replacement for the injured Shan Masood, his unbeaten 160 was the cornerstone of Pakistan’s first innings total of 387.

“This comeback match felt like a debut for me,” Abdullah said after the match. “I had been working hard for the last one year and was waiting for my opportunity.

“It came at an unexpected time but I grabbed it with both hands.”

This was also Pakistan’s first Test victory at Queen’s Park Oval since 1977, when captain Mushtaq Mohammad’s all-round performance took his team to a series-levelling win in the fourth Test of a five-match series. West Indies however won the decider in Kingston to take that rubber 2-1.

SAJID, USMAN STAR

Pushing aside the hotly-debated omission of senior seamer Mohammad Abbas on the first morning of this Test, Pakistan prevailed with their two frontline spinners starring in the victory.

Off-spinner Sajid Khan, who was not picked for the first Test, made the most of his recall with a match haul of eight for 117, although he was not required on the final morning as the other spinner, left-arm orthodox Ali Usman, took two of the last three wickets to fall to claim four for 39 in the innings and match figures of six for 119.

West Indies were hampered by the absence of regular opening batsman Brandon King who was unable to bat because of back spasms suffered in effecting the run out of Pakistan captain Babar for 88 the day before.

Sajid had taken four for 32 to engineer the West Indies second innings collapse late on day three, yet Babar opted for the combination of Usman and seamer Mohammad Ali to complete the job on the fourth morning.

They were aided though by poor shot selection from the hosts’ lower order.

Kemar Roach, noted for his tailender’s defiance as displayed in the first innings, swung hopefully at the second delivery he faced from Usman to be bowled for a “duck”.

Justin Greaves, the last real hope for any meaningful West Indian resistance, dragged an attempted pull at Ali onto his middle stump, and the innings was wrapped up when Shamar Joseph, having already struck two boundaries, essayed another big swing at Usman only for a skied leading edge to be easily pouched by wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan.

Pakistan’s win also broke a streak of eight consecutive Test match defeats away from home, which started with a 360-run annihilation at the hands of Australia in Perth in December, 2023.

After lunch on Tuesday, Sajid had put Pakistan on course for the eventual victory as West Indies stumbled to 103 for six — a lead of just 60 runs — on an eventful third day.

Abdullah’s unbeaten 160 ensured the visitors did not completely squander an excellent overnight platform in eventually getting to a first-innings total of 387.

Sajid then made his second meaningful contribution of the day in taking four second-innings wickets, while Usman claimed two, including home captain Roston Chase caught-and-bowled off the final ball of the day.

On a deteriorating pitch offering sharp turn and variable bounce, West Indies left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican was as much in his element as 18 months earlier against these same opponents in Multan.

Here, his haul of six for 112, including three wickets in four balls to wrap up the Pakistan innings on the stroke of tea had West Indies’ tail up, but Sajid’s show later and Usman’s contribution on the fourth day saw the visitors have the last laugh.

Scoreboard

WEST INDIES (1st Innings) 344 (J. Greaves 73, R. Chase 70; Sajid Khan 4-85)

PAKISTAN (1st Innings) 387 (Abdullah Shafique 160, Babar Azam 88; J. Warrican 6-112)

WEST INDIES (2nd Innings, overnight:

103-6):

T. Chanderpaul lbw b Sajid17

K. Hodge lbw b Usman34

A. Jangoo b Sajid13

R. Chase c&b Usman17

S. Hope lbw b Sajid15

J. Seales lbw b Sajid0

J. Greaves b Ali3

K. Roach b Usman0

S. Joseph c Rizwan b Usman9

J. Warrican not out2

B. King absent hurt

EXTRAS (B-1, LB-1, W-5)7

TOTAL (all out, 46.1 overs)117

FALL OF WICKETS: 1-40 (Chanderpaul), 2-62 (Jangoo), 3-74 (Hodge), 4-99 (Hope), 5-101 (Seales), 6-103 (Chase), 7-103 (Roach), 8-115 (Greaves), 9-117 (Joseph)

BOWLING: Ali 11-2-31-1, Ubaid 4-0-13-0 (1w), Usman 19.1-4-39-4, Sajid 12-2-32-4

PAKISTAN (2nd Innings):

Azan Awais b Joseph18

Imam-ul-Haq c Greaves b Seales9

Abdullah Shafique not out24

Babar Azam not out24

EXTRAS (NB-2)2

TOTAL (for two wickets, 23.3 overs)77

DID NOT BAT: Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha, Awais Zafar, Ali Usman, Sajid Khan, Ubaid Shah, Mohammad Ali

FALL OF WICKETS: 1-15 (Imam), 2-42 (Azan)

BOWLING: Roach 2-0-11-0 (1nb), Warrican 11.3-4-38-0 (1nb), Seales 5-1-9-1, Joseph 4-1-17-1, Hodge 1-0-2-0

RESULT: Pakistan won by eight wickets.

MAN-OF-THE-MATCH: Abdullah Shafique

SERIES: Two-match series drawn 1-1.

Published in Dawn, August 6th, 2026

Pakistan, the former four-time World Cup winners, are placed in pool ‘D’ alongside England, India and Wales for the 16-nation showpiece being co-hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands from Aug 15 to 30. The Green-shirts, led by Abu Bakr Mahmood, leave for the Netherlands on Aug 9.

After playing the tournament opener against England on Aug 15 at the Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen, Pakistan meet Wales on Aug 17 at the same venue before facing arch-rivals India on Aug 19.

At the World Cup, Veldhof, who was hired by the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) last month along with other members of the national team’s coaching staff, will be backed by assistant coaches Christopher Bowen and Adnan Zakir.

Speaking to Dawn, Veldhof, alongside Bowen and Adnan, said that the team could not prepare fully for the World Cup in such a short time.

“Frankly speaking, the World Cup is not our [main] target; in one month’s training we cannot do wonders in the global event. [Rather] our main focus will be on this year’s Asian Games [to be hosted by Japan in September-October],” Veldhof said and added that things were moving in the right direction for Pakistan hockey.

“Pakistan faced 26 consecutive defeats in international contests. However, we won our last three matches against South Korea which means there is some improvement,” the Dutchman said and added that his coaching team had a two-year plan. “If it is implemented, Pakistan can be amongst the world’s top eight outfits.”

The head coach further said that the Pakistan Hockey Federation had been taking important steps to bring improvement, which he termed a positive development for the future of country’s hockey.

“A mega school hockey programme is going to be implemented in future. In this regard, the PHF will provide equipment to thousands of schools across Pakistan. Steps like this are needed to lift hockey,” Veldhof said and added that the Pakistan players were being trained on modern lines.

Speaking on the occasion, assistant coach Bowen said that club hockey and school hockey were crucial to enhance the pool of players.

“We are doing our best and hope to achieve good results…we are building a [solid] team,” he insisted.

In his comments, Adnan, who has been settled in Germany for many years, said that Pakistan had heaps of talent, which needed to be trained on modern lines.

“Talent can win you games, but not [the] championship,” former Pakistan player Adnan insisted and added that a strong team was required for winning an event. “We are working to build a good team,” he said.

While lauding the extremely rich history of Pakistan hockey, the coaches stated that now there was a need to look forward.

“Had Pakistan modernised the game on time, it would not have been left behind other teams,” the coaches underlined.

“Unfortunately, after the 1990s Pakistan no longer produced heroes as people still discussed [the country’s] former players.”

‘POTENTIAL HEROES’

Interestingly, Bowen claimed that there were at least a couple of players in Pakistan’s World Cup squad, announced by the PHF on Wednesday, who “can surprise opponent teams and Pakistan fans as well”.

“We don’t want to disclose their names at this stage. But surely we have two best players, who have the potential to become heroes of Pakistan hockey in future,” Bowen said.

The time had come to think beyond hockey of the old school, the Pakistan coaches emphasised. “We are working on modern lines with focus on the players’ skills, tactics and fitness.

“In the third match [of the ongoing home series] against South Korea, we were trailing 1-2 but in the end we won 4-3. [This shows that] hockey is not just about stick and ball; rather there are many other elements,” they said.

IMPROVING DEFENCE ‘WORK IN PROGRESS’

Responding to a query about the poor defence of the national team which conceded a whopping 79 goals in 16 matches of the 2025-26 FIH Pro League, Veldhof said fixing the problem would take time.

“We are aware of this [frail defence] issue. Therefore, our primary focus is on improving this obvious weakness. As I said earlier, things can’t be properly fixed in a short period of time. This is a time-consuming process in which we are gradually making progress,” the head coach said.

All the three coaches were of the opinion that if Pakistan wanted to make noteworthy progress it would have to ensure consistency in the policies.

Published in Dawn, August 6th, 2026

KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Wednesday attracted aggressive buying interest amid falling oil prices and easing geopolitical tensions, propelling the benchmark KSE-100 index above the 180,000-point level, reflecting improving investor confidence amid a strong economic outlook and moderating inflationary pressures.

Topline Securities Ltd said bullish sentiment prevailed throughout the session, driven by improving geopolitical relations between the US and Iran. The continued decline in international oil prices further bolstered investor confidence, triggering broad-based buying across key sectors. Optimism was also supported by expectations that softer oil prices could ease inflationary pressures and improve Pakistan’s external account outlook.

The index remained firmly in positive territory throughout the session, climbing to an intraday high of 3,119 points before settling at 180,014, gaining 2,931 points or 1.66 per cent.

Bulls advance as easing US-Iran tensions drive widespread rally

Ali Najib, Deputy Head of Trading at Arif Habib Ltd, said PSX recorded a strong recovery rally, driven by a sharp decline in international oil prices, which have fallen more than 9pc since Tuesday’s peak. Optimism grew over the resumption of US-Iran talks, raising hopes for a diplomatic resolution to the ongoing conflict.

On the macro front, Pakistan has reportedly requested China to refinance a $1.3bn commercial loan, with the funds expected to be received later this month once the terms and conditions are finalised.

Habib Bank, United Bank, Meezan Bank, Engro Holdings, Fauji Fertiliser, MCB Bank, Lucky Cement, Systems Ltd, Hub Power, and Fatima Fertiliser emerged as the top contributors, collectively adding 1,906 points to the benchmark.

Market activity remained healthy, with traded volume rising 4.11pc to 740.5 million shares and traded value surging 38.77pc to Rs35.8bn.

Analysts expect improving geopolitical sentiment, falling international oil prices, and ongoing macroeconomic stability to support investor confidence. However, US-Iran negotiations and the corporate earnings season will remain key near-term catalysts shaping market direction.

Published in Dawn, August 6th, 2026

Brent crude futures settled up 9 cents, or 0.11 per cent, at $79.45 a barrel. US West Texas Intermediate futures fell 55 cents, or 0.73pc, to $75.22.

The market remained optimistic but cautious, said an analyst.

Published in Dawn, August 6th, 2026

The demands were highlighted in an investor feedback report prepared for the Privatisation Commission following roadshows held in Pakistan, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia and China in June and July for the proposed sale of Fesco, Gepco and Iesco. Potential investors warned that uncertainty on these fronts could undermine the planned privatisation.

The strongest demand was for a longer multi-year tariff (MYT) regime. Investors want the tariff control period extended to 7-10 years, saying the existing 5-year framework is too short to support investment in long-lived distribution assets.

They also want the uniform tariff system gradually replaced with tariffs linked to individual Disco performance and efficiency. Investors argue that the current arrangement can penalise better-performing companies and have sought incentives to reduce transmission and distribution losses and improve service reliability.

Investors demand longer tariffs, regulatory certainty, buying freedom

Regulatory predictability was another major concern. International investors fear that tariffs and contractual arrangements agreed at the time of privatisation could later be reopened by a government or court. They have therefore sought contractual safeguards against such changes and want key investment plans, capital expenditure requirements, and tariff details to be settled before bidding.

Investors have also questioned the capacity and speed of the power regulator, calling for timely tariff decisions, accountable service standards and clearly defined enforcement and intervention powers. Domestic investors have additionally sought contractual limits on regulatory discretion.

Ownership rules are another issue. Most investors favour full ownership of the Discos, while several want permission to acquire stakes in more than one company, subject to safeguards against excessive concentration.

Some investors suggested retaining a minority government stake in Islamabad Electric Supply Company because of its large base of government consumers.

Investors also want greater freedom to buy electricity from competitive suppliers, and they have opposed saddling privatised Discos with costly legacy IPP obligations as consumers shift to cheaper electricity sources.

They see additional revenue opportunities in Disco assets and customer networks, including telecom infrastructure, EV charging and smart metering, but want clear rules governing such businesses and the sharing of resulting revenues.

Delayed government subsidies, particularly those owed in connection with Azad Jammu and Kashmir, were flagged as a serious cash-flow risk. Investors want an automated settlement mechanism, compensation for delays and a defined dispute-resolution process.

Foreign investors have also raised concerns about exchange-rate risks on overseas borrowing for capital expenditure and dividend repatriation.The feedback suggests that investor interest in Fesco, Gepco and Iesco is real, but turning that interest into competitive bids will depend on whether the government can provide a credible and predictable framework before the privatisation process moves to the bidding stage.

Published in Dawn, August 6th, 2026

The State Bank of Pakistan released the auction data, showing that banks and other corporates were eager to invest in the most secure government papers, with total bids reaching Rs2.287 trillion.

However, the government borrowed Rs564bn through T-bill auctions while it raised Rs375bn thr­ough non-competitive bids.

The bidding trend shows that the investors were more interested in both short-term and long-term investments, as they offered Rs811bn for one-mo­nth T-bills and Rs684bn for 12-month papers.

The government raised the highest amount, Rs301.3bn, for 12-month papers, with a cut-off yield of 11.95 per cent, which is highly attractive, as inflation slowed to 9.2pc in July and the Gulf war halted, pushing oil prices downward. The government raised Rs113bn for three-month and Rs111bn for six-month, with cut-off yields of 11.51pc and 11.43pc, respectively.

Published in Dawn, August 6th, 2026

A comprehensive and effective strategy should be adopted to ensure the participation of investors meeting international standards in the privatisation of Discos,” the prime minister said while chairing a review meeting in Islamabad, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

He, however, stressed that consumers’ interests must remain a priority throughout the privatisation process.

The premier directed that all stages of the privatisation process be completed within the stipulated timelines, in accordance with established rules and international best practices, while ensuring optimal financial outcomes.

Privatisation Commission to be restructured in a month

Expressing satisfaction over investor roadshows held in Pakistan and abroad, Mr Shehbaz said they had generated encouraging interest in the government’s privatisation programme.

Officials informed the meeting that roadshows for the first phase of the privatisation of Gujranwala Electric Power Company (Gepco), Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (Fesco) and Islamabad Electric Supply Company (Iesco) had been completed. Investor outreach activities in Turkiye, Saudi Arabia and China had also produced positive results, the PMO said.

The meeting reviewed progress on the first phase of the Discos’ privatisation and efforts to strengthen the Privatisation Commission through institutional restructuring and the recruitment of qualified professionals.

The prime minister directed the commission to recruit experts of international standards in finance, law and information technology to enhance its institutional capacity and improve its ability to attract investment.

He also instructed officials to ensure that recommendations of professional consultants were fully incorporated into the privatisation process and that all legal and financial regulatory requirements were completed on time.

Mr Shehbaz further directed that a comprehensive grievance redress mechanism be established to safeguard consumers’ interests after the privatisation of the utilities.

Energy Minister Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari, Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Khan Cheema, Information Techn­ology Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Privatisation Muha­mmad Ali and senior government officials attended the meeting.

On May 19, the Privatisation Commission invited expressions of interest (EoIs) from local and international investors for the long-delayed sale of Iesco, Gepco and Fesco.

The three companies are regarded as the most commercially viable among the 11 electricity distribution companies carved out of the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) in 1998.

The government plans to offer investors between 51pc and 100pc shareholding, along with management control, in each company to improve operational efficiency and service delivery through private-sector management.

The commission had fixed July 7 as the deadline for EoIs for Fesco, Aug 24 for Gepco and Sept 7 for Iesco.

Published in Dawn, August 6th, 2026

Celebrating more than a decade of recognising leadership, innovation, and excellence in Pakistan’s banking industry, the awards are adjudicated by an independent jury comprising leading professionals from the banking and finance sector.

Over the past decade, the awards have evolved into one of the industry’s most prestigious platforms, recognising institutions that champion financial inclusion, technological innovation, and responsible banking practices.

Published in Dawn, August 6th, 2026

According to a notification issued by Special Secretary Home Abdul Salam Khan Achakzai, all commissioners and deputy commissioners across the province have been designated as inspecting authorities. Under this arrangement, they will conduct both regular and surprise inspections of prisons and other detention facilities within their respective jurisdictions.

The inspections will focus on assessing the provision of healthcare, education, sanitation, food, and other basic facilities for inmates. Any deficiencies identified during the inspections will be addressed through immediate corrective measures, while inspection reports must be submitted to the relevant authorities within seven working days.

Published in Dawn, August 6th, 2026

The petition, filed under Article 199 of the Constitution, read with Section 561 of the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Pakistan Prison Rules, 1978, was submitted by NDC Chairman Mahmood Baqi Molvi along with fellow committee members Imran Ismail, Barrister Muhammad Ali Khan Saif and Fawad Ahmed.

The petitioners contend that the jail administration has imposed an illegal and arbitrary ban on meetings with the imprisoned couple since August 5, 2023.

The petition says the respondent authorities, including the Federation of Pakistan through the Ministry of Interior, the Punjab Home Department, and the superintendent of Central Jail Adiala, have “viciously compromised” the fundamental rights guaranteed under Article 9 (right to life and liberty) and Article 14 (inviolability of dignity) of the Constitution.

According to the petition, meetings with Imran Khan have been banned for almost one year, with authorities imposing restrictions that violate both national laws and international covenants, including the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners.

The petitioners specifically noted that “the family has not been granted access to their imprisoned brother and his wife, hence it is but natural to become extremely worried about his health and security during custody”.

This comes amid reports that the Adiala jail administration has previously cited security concerns and allegations of political discussions following prison meetings as grounds for restricting access.

Published in Dawn, August 6th, 2026

The meeting, chaired by MNA Moeen Pirzada, examined audit paras indicating that around 1,200 employees were recruited at KPT in previous governments, especially during the tenure of then federal minister for ports and shipping Babar Ghauri, without due process. According to audit officials, these appointments were made without merit, advertisements, or adherence to prescribed rules.

Committee members questioned the legality of the recruitment and sought clarity on the status of the employees.

“If irregularities are proven, what course of action will be taken?” the chairman of the committee asked, while Senator Bilal Mandokhail called for a breakdown of how many among the 1,200 employees were qualified or otherwise.

Some members observed that it would be difficult to terminate such a large number of employees at once. Audit officials informed the committee that when show-cause notices were issued, many employees sought relief from courts, complicating the process.

The committee also expressed concern over KPT’s failure to share complete data of its employees with auditors. Karachi Port Trust Chairman retired Rear Admiral, Shahid Ahmed said that individuals with fake or bogus degrees had already been removed.

However, PAC members stressed the need to verify whether the employees physically existed before assessing their qualifications.

It directed the Ministry of Maritime Affairs to investigate the matter thoroughly and submit a report, including coordination with the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

The illegal hiring of 1,200 employees had cost Karachi Port Trust Rs1.66 billion and another Rs3.318 billion without verifying record of employees.

Separately, the committee discussed an audit objection regarding payment of a bonus equivalent to five basic salaries to KPT employees.

Audit officials termed the payment unauthorised, while some lawmakers called for the recovery of the amount. They also mentioned that the decision to give such high bonuses was also in violation of PAC directions, which had ordered bonuses equivalent to just one basic salary.

Published in Dawn, August 6th, 2026

The government action triggered worst traffic jam in the provincial capital, badly disrupting the daily life of the masses.

Sources said that the provincial administration has taken these security measures on the basis of some intelligence reports.

The roads’ closure left government and private employees, students, patients and commuters stranded for hours in sweltering heat.

People stuck up in massive traffic jams condemned the government move saying that repeated closures of city’s main roads and paralyzing daily lives of millions of citizens for security of a limited number of VIPs was not justified.

Published in Dawn, August 6th, 2026

GB Governor Syed Mehdi Shah administered the oath at an oath-taking ceremony held in Governor House, Gilgit.

Four cabinet members from Istehkam-i-Pakistan Party (IPP), Dilpazeer Khan, Aman Ali, Asad Shafiq, Mohammad An­­w­ar and Syed Tuqeer Mah­di from the PPP took oath of office.

Seven members of the GB cabinet have already taken the oath of office and assu­med their responsibilities.

Assembly resolution condemns Indian actions in held Kashmir

Meanwhile, the Gilgit-Bal­t­istan Asse­mbly on Wednesday unanimously passed a resolution condemning India’s unilateral actions in Illegally Oc­­cupied Jammu and Kashmir.

The resolution expressed complete solidarity with the people of occupied Kashmir and reiterated its strong support for Kashmiris’ right to self-determination.

The resolution was appro­ved at a special session of the GB Assembly, chaired by GB Assembly Speaker Imran Nadeem Shigri.

PPP’s Subiya Muqaddam tabled the resolution. Through it, the GB Assembly condemned the Government of India’s unilateral abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A of its Constitution, along with attempts to alter the special constitutional status of Indian-administered Jam­mu and Kashmir, and termed the Indian government move a matter of grave concern.

The assembly reiterated that Jammu and Kashmir is an internationally recognised disputed territory, whose final status must be determined in accordance with the United Nations Security Council resolutions, through a free, impartial, and internationally supervised plebiscite that allo­­ws the people of Jammu and Kashmir to exercise their right to self-determination.

The resolution said the GB Assembly does not consider the Kashmir dispute as merely a border issue, but a fundamental question concerning the basic, natural, and inalienable right of self-determination of the people of Kashmir.

The resolution expressed deep concern over India’s actions of 5 August 2019, including the revocation of Articles 370 and 35A and attempts to change the demographic composition of the territory and said these Indian steps are contrary to international law, UN resolutions, and the right to self-determination of the people of Kashmir.

“Such measures cannot alt­­er the inter­nationally recogni­s­ed disputed status of Jammu and Kashmir and are viewed as attempts to undermine the Ka­­shmiri people’s right to determine their own future,” it said.

Published in Dawn, August 6th, 2026

A day earlier, unidentified men shot dead Inayatullah Jattak, father of the woman who was kidnapped two years ago.

Ministers, opposition leaders and other lawmakers staged a walkout from the house in protest and demanded the immediate arrest of those involved in the killings and kidnapping. Speaker Abdul Khaliq Achakzai, who was presiding over the session, directed the provincial police chief, the Kalat region DIG and the Khuzdar SSP to arrest the suspects named in three FIRs within 48 hours and submit a progress report to the assembly.

JUI-F MPA Mir Zabit Reki from Washuk raised the issue on a point of order and said that despite the passage of a significant amount of time, no progress had been made in the case of Ms Jattak, who was kidnapped while her fiancé, uncle, and now her father had been killed.

He demanded a transparent investigation into the murder and urged the government to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Provincial Minister Haji Ali Madad Jattak said her family had been subjected to harassment for nearly one and a half years. He said her fiance was killed, the family repeatedly received threats and Ms Jattak was later abducted.

Opposition Leader Mir Younas Aziz Zehri joined the walkout, declaring that if the killers were not arrested, the chief minister and the home minister would be responsible.

Published in Dawn, August 6th, 2026

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minis­­­­­­ter Shehbaz Sharif on Wed­ne­sday met a nine-member delegation led by Japan Interna­t­i­onal Co­­operation Agency (JICA) President Dr Tanaka Aki­hiko, reaffirming Pakis­t­an’s commitment to stren­gthening its long-standing partnership with Japan and the agency.

The prime minister said that Pakistan highly valued its more than seven decades of cooperation with Japan and JICA and expressed confidence that Dr Tanaka’s visit would further deepen bilateral ties. He said Pakistan had overcome difficult economic challenges through teamwork and was now pursuing reforms at a rapid pace to achieve sustainable economic growth.

PM Shehbaz said the gover­nment’s reforms had doubled state revenues in just three years.

The prime minister said the development of Pakistan’s mi­­neral sector was a key priority and welcomed JICA’s technical cooperation in the field.

Highlighting reforms und­e­rtaken at the Small and Medi­­um Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA), PM Shehbaz said the organisation had been transformed into a more effective institution to support small- and medium-sized businesses.

He said cooperation betw­een JICA and SMEDA would help promote SMEs and boost Pakistan’s exports.

The prime minister also offered condolences over the recent earthquake in Japan.

Published in Dawn, August 6th, 2026

ISLAMABAD: The nation observed Youm-i-Istehsal (Exploitation Day) on Wednesday to mark the anniversary of India revoking the occupied region’s special autonomy in 2019, with rallies staged in the federal capital, across the four provinces, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan.

In Islamabad, a major solidarity rally, led by Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs, Gilgit-Baltistan and Safron Engineer Amir Muqam, was held on Constitution Avenue. Sirens were sounded at 9am, following which participants observed a one-minute silence to express solidarity with the people of India-held Kashmir, state-run APP reported.

Participants carried Pakis­tan and AJK flags, banners and placards expressing solidarity with the Kashmiri people and condemning India’s actions in occupied Kashmir.

They strongly condemned the Aug 5, 2019 actions, maintaining that the unilateral measures could neither alter the internationally recognis­­ed disputed status of Jammu and Kashmir nor suppress the Kashmiris’ struggle for their right to self-determination.

Similar rallies, seminars and solidarity events were organised across the four provinces, AJK and GB.

In Muzaffarabad, a rally or­­ganised by Pasban-e-Hurriyat Jammu Kashmir (PHJK) drew the participation of women, children, elderly people, youth, political and social activists, and other citizens.

Titled “Chalo Azadi Ke Liye (March for Freedom)”, the ral­ly was led by PHJK Chairman Uzair Ahmad Ghazali, AJK Pri­­­me Minister’s spokesperson Shaukat Javed Mir, PHJK women’s wing head Mehnaz Qureshi, Usman Ali Hashim, Raja Sajeed Khan and Mohammad Ishaq Shaheen, among others.

The rally marched from Burhan Wani Chowk to Garhi Pan Chowk, with participants carrying black flags as well as the flags of Pakistan and AJK, and displaying banners bearing slogans against India and in support of Kashmir’s right to self-determination.

Separately, another rally was taken out under the aegis of the Kashmir Liberation Cell. Its re­­presentatives later submitted a memorandum to the office of the United Nations Military Obser­vers near Domel, calling upon the world body to play its long-overdue role in resolving the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the wishes of its people.

Protest rallies, gatherings and condemnation ceremonies were also held in Taxila, Attock, Hazro, Jand and Hassanabdal to express solidarity with the oppressed Kashmiri people.

Diplomatic missions

Pakistan’s diplomatic missions across the world obse­r­ved Youm-i-Istehsal with seminars, commemorative ceremonies, documentary screenings and public outreach eve­­nts, reaffirming Pakistan’s continued political, diplomatic and moral support for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Events were held at Pakistan’s missions in Beijing, Kabul, Tehran and London, where diplomats, parliamentarians, academics, community leaders, media representatives and members of the Pakistani diaspora gathered to mark the day observed annually against India’s revocation of the special constitutional status of India-held Kashmir, according to a news release.

The Pakistan Embassy in Ankara, in collaboration with the Economic and Social Research Centre, held a solemn event to mark Youm-i-Istehsal and renew its commitment to solidarity with the people of India-held Kashmir.

Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti presented a joint resolution in the provincial assembly condemning India’s unilateral actions of Aug 5, 2019. The resolution was unanimously adopted by the House.

UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Aziz Haq said the UNSC resolutions pledging the right of self-determination to the people of Kashmir had “not changed”.

“You’ll have seen what was expressed, including by the High Commission for Human Rights [Volker Turk], about our concerns that all basic ri­­ghts are respected for the people of Kashmir,” he told repo­rters at a briefing in New York.

According to a statement, PPP Vice President Senator Sher­ry Rehman flayed India for perpetrating “genocidal br­­u­­­tality” in India-held Kash­mir. She said Kashmir “is not real estate” but an internationally recognised disputed territory.

Speaking as the chief guest at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad on Youm-i-Istehsal, she said Aug 5, 2019 marked not only the revocation of Article 370 but also the beginning of “an attempted annexation by stealth” and a continuing assault on international law.

Tariq Naqash in Muzaffarabad, Bakhtawar Mian and Iftikhar A. Khan in Islamabad and Saleem Shahid in Quetta also contributed to this report

Published in Dawn, August 6th, 2026

GILGIT: A search team has shifted the bodies of renowned climber Nirmal Purja and three members of his team to the base camp of Broad Peak, where they were killed in an avalanche, the Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP) said on Wednesday.

The avalanche struck on July 30, cutting off contact with the 10-member international expedition led by 43-year-old British-Nepali climber Purja on Broad Peak, one of the world’s highest mountains. His company confirmed there were no survivors.

“On behalf of the Alpine Club of Pakistan, it is announced with great sadness to confirm that, following an exceptionally challenging and technically demanding recovery operation on Broad Peak, the bodies of Nirmal Purja, Zhong Wang, Nima Sherpa and Kilu Sherpa have been successfully recovered and have now arrived safely at Base Camp,” the ACP posted on social media, referring to a Chinese mountaineer and two Nepali climbers.

“While today marks an important milestone, three climbers remain missing,” the club said.

“We remain committed to supporting all possible efforts to locate and recover them, whenever conditions allow, so that they too may be returned home to their loved ones,” it added.

The remains of three other members of the team — an American woman, an Omani woman and a Nepali man — had already been flown off the mountain to Skardu. The bodies of Pakistani mountaineer Sohail Sakhi of Hunza and two Nepali nationals have not yet been recovered.

Funeral prayers in absentia were offered for Mr Sakhi in his hometown of Aliabad in Hunza on Monday, where hundreds of people paid tribute to the young mountaineer and offered condolences to his family. Shock and grief have hit the alpine climbing community,

with Nepal’s National Mountain Guide Association President Tul Singh Gurung saying they had “lost a generation of accomplished mountaineers”.

The ACP said the recovered bodies of the four climbers would be returned to their families.

The club’s president, retired Maj Gen Irfan Arshad Khan, told Dawn that the deceased climbers would be airlifted to Skardu by helicopters, which had been unable to operate for the last three days due to adverse weather.

“We hope this recovery brings them a measure of peace and the opportunity to lay their loved ones to rest with the dignity they deserve,” the club said.

It expressed gratitude to those leading and supporting the rescue efforts, including the ground recovery team led by Mingma G and supported by Sirbaz Khan, as well as the Pakistani and Nepali recovery teams, the Pakistan Army, the governments of Pakistan and Gilgit-Baltistan, local authorities, the British High Commission and the Embassy of Nepal for their support throughout the mission.

Nirmal’s business partner and member of Nepal’s House of Representatives Mingma David Sherpa, who is monitoring the rescue and search operation, appreciated the “courage, professionalism and selfless commitment” of the ground recovery team.

“We are deeply grateful to every member of the team for carrying out this mission under extremely difficult and dangerous conditions,” he said.

“Our thoughts also remain with the families of the three climbers who are still missing. We remain committed to supporting every possible effort to bring them home when conditions safely allow,” he added.

Broad Peak is the world’s 12th highest mountain, located in the Karakoram range, and is regarded as one of the toughest and most technical climbs among all 8,000-metre-plus ascents. It was first summited in 1957 by an Austrian team.

Published in Dawn, August 6th, 2026

In a notification, the ECP said it intended to insert a new proviso in Rule 137. Under the proposed change, if there is any ambiguity in the wealth statement of a parliamentarian or an MPA, the commission may seek clarification from the member, or from any person, department, organisation or financial institution.

Such entities “shall be bound to respond to the query/clarification within time fixed by the commission,” according to the draft.

The ECP has published the draft amendment for public consultation and invited objections and suggestions by Aug 15. The commission will hear and decide the objections thereafter. The draft has been uploaded on the ECP’s official website.

The move comes as the ECP is hearing three cases against Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly and PkMAP chief Mehmood Khan Achakzai, one of which pertains to his statement of assets and liabilities.

The cases are scheduled for hearing on Aug 19 — four days after the deadline for objections. Once formally notified, the amendment will legally bind lawmakers and relevant institutions to provide information to the ECP within a stipulated timeframe.

Published in Dawn, August 6th, 2026

NEW DELHI: Floods and landslides triggered by monsoon rains have killed more than 100 people across India since July, official data showed on Wednesday, with thousands forced to flee their inundated homes.

While the annual monsoon brings rainfall that farmers depend on, scientists say climate change is making the phenomenon more erratic, unpredictable and deadly across the South Asia region.

India’s northeastern state of Assam is among the hardest hit by the annual rains, with at least 87 people killed, according to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. In the state’s worst-affected Sivasagar district, 47 people have been killed, and several areas are flooded.

State authorities have appealed for financial donations from the public to help.

“The devastation here is unlike anything these areas have witnessed before,” Sarma posted on X. “Material losses can be restored, but no compensation can replace a loved one.”

AFP images showed residents using rafts and inflatable boats to reach higher ground.

In India’s southern state of Kerala, Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan said at least 15 people have been killed and another seven were missing, after heavy rains over several days.

More than 300 relief camps have been set up in the state, sheltering over 10,000 people, after rains triggered landslides and swollen rivers breached their banks.

In India-held Kashmir, at least 31 people been killed in several short bursts of extremely intense rainfall, according to a report by the public state broadcaster.

Lightning strikes, common during monsoon, killed at least 22 people in the eastern states of Bihar and Jharkhand since Tuesday, local disaster response officials said.

The dead, mostly farmers working in paddy fields and cattle grazers, included four children, the officials said on Wednesday.

Monsoon-related disasters are an annual occurrence across India after the region’s long summers when many parts of the country face water scarcity and drought.

Neighbouring Sri Lanka has also seen unusually heavy monsoon rains that have caused flash floods and mudslides, claiming the lives of at least eight people since Monday, according to the Disaster Management Centre.

Some 12,000 people have been driven out of their flooded homes in the central region.

At the same time, the country’s eastern regions were in the grip of a severe drought, with authorities having to transport drinking water for residents in tanker trucks.

The government last month said the severe weather events were due to this year’s El Nino weather phenomenon, which warms surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean.

Published in Dawn, August 6th, 2026